Why women wear bras?

Women wear Bras to support and protect their breasts.

According to several articles in lingerie trade journals, there are three primary reasons given by women for wearing bras:

1. Society-Mores
2. Protection
3. Attraction/Image

!> Western mores have dictated that women wear bras for the sake of modesty. Some would say that this protection, in that the bras worn for this reason are generally designed not to enhance, draw attention to, or reveal any part of the breasts. Therefore, we're talking about full cup, padded, and white cotton or synthetics
2. Protection as in sporting activities and, in the case of mature women, support. The larger a woman's breasts , the likely that she will injure her breasts if they come in contact with others or objects. In some activities, soccer, running, for instance, breasts can be injured with the motion that causes breasts to move excessively.
3. A brief review of bra (or any lingerie) retailers, quickly demonstrates that year 50% of women's lingerie sold in the western world does not meet the criteria for numbers 1. and 2.
Over 50% of lingerie sold in the U.S. is constructed from materials and designs clearly intended to draw attention to a woman's sexual features; i.e.: her breasts, derriere, and "front." This is accomplished with sheer mesh, lace, silks and satins that can reveal that which is supposed was covered, or accentuate by clinging to the body features (nipples, cheeks, lips).

By 2007, the most recent industry data show the following styles as a per cent of all bra sales: Balconette/Demi (bras that may expose some or all of the nipples), 22%; Push-Up/Maximizers, 24%; Plunge/Sheer, 14%; Cotton/Full Coverage/Sport, 32%; Specialty/Orthopedic Bras, 8%.

It would be difficult to suggest that the first three styles listed, comprising 60% of all bra sales, would demonstrate that bras serve practical purposes. Of course, some might posit that it is practical to wear clothes that feel good, make the wearer feel good, and make others feel good.

Concurrently, the rise in popularity of thongs which now comprise 37% of all pantie sales, g-strings (16%), (skimpier) bikini panties (27%), it's estimated that at least one-third of these styles are sewn from fabrics that are sheer and semi-sheer. There is a clear connection between women's panties using less fabric and more women shaving there pubic hair. Three surveys were conducted with OB-GYNs; one in 1992 and two in 2006 and 2008. In 1992, women 18-24, 18% shaved all or most of their pubic hair; women 25 - 34, 9%; and 35 - 40, 3%. By 2008, the numbers were: 18-24, 79%, 25 - 34, 68%, and 35-40, 44%. Clearly, something has happened here and the lingerie industry has responded with the right fashion choices.